By Boluwatife Kehinde
With only hours to go before the start of the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Nigeria’s sprint hurdler and former world champion, Tobi Amusan, publicly criticised the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) over what she described as the poor and unprofessional treatment of athletes.
Amusan, who led a 15-athlete Nigerian contingent to the championships running from 13 to 21 September, expressed her displeasure in a Snapchat video, lamenting the quality and packaging of the kits provided.
She noted that while other countries presented their athletes with full gear packed neatly in branded suitcases, Nigerian competitors received theirs in nylon bags containing only the bare minimum.
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“This country will steadily embarrass you. Una come say make people nor switch allegiance? Una never ready!” Amusan said in frustration.
She added that the competition gear was substandard, pointing out that athletes were given only two outfits that peeled when soaked with sweat.
The world 100m hurdles record holder also revealed that despite officials collecting athletes’ shoe sizes, no footwear was included in the kits. “So as it is now, I have to wear my Adidas black tights. My fans, they collected our shoe sizes,” she said, mocking the oversight.
In the video caption, Amusan wrote in pidgin: “Abeg which country dey find athletes”—a subtle reference to the possibility of switching allegiance, echoing compatriot Favour Ofili, who recently opted to represent Turkey.
Amusan’s outburst added to longstanding concerns about the AFN’s preparedness and commitment to athletes’ welfare during major competitions.
Her comments reignited debate about Nigeria’s ability to support its elite performers on the global stage.
Despite her grievances, Amusan remained one of the nation’s brightest hopes in Tokyo.
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In 2024, she enjoyed a successful season—winning gold in both the 100m hurdles and the 4x100m relay at the African Games, posting a world-leading 12.40s at the Jamaica Invitational, and clocking a season’s best 12.45s to triumph at the Diamond League in Rabat.
Although she missed out on the Olympic final in Paris, her performances reaffirmed her status among the world’s elite hurdlers.
